The Steeple is Coming Down

On Friday January 23, 2012 the steeple on top of the sanctuary is coming down. We have a problem that must be addressed. There is water leaking between the steeple and the roof.  If not stopped it will cause tremendous damage to the place where we gather for corporate worship. So we have two options, ether remove the steeple, repair the roof and then return the steeple; or remove the steeple, repair the roof and don’t return the steeple. The projected cost to remover, repair, restore, and return is a little under $25,000.

One of the questions we must contemplate is, “Does a Church really need a steeple?” The short answer is no. As we learn in the New Testament Churches are not buildings, they are local bodies of born again believers. Granted there is only one Church, but that church is made of many bodies like “The Church at Ephesus,”  “The Church at Thessalonica,” or “The Church at Ridglea.” Each Church is created by God and has its own make up of people and specific purposes that fit within God’s mission to make disciples and teach those disciples to observe all things Jesus has commanded.

Ridglea Heights Baptist Church has a personality. God has called us to help People believe God… become like Jesus... and bear Spirit-filled fruit. Our personality is to bridge the gap between generations.  This means sometimes we look at the past and grab what is good and sometimes we look into the present and see what is good. Then we use either or both for God’s Glory in our mission to win souls and disciple the saved. One good-old thought is a steeple that points people upward toward God. Our steeple not only points upward to God but as your eyes follow it up to the top you inevitably come to the cross. Your eyes cannot look to the heavens without first going through the cross. Wow! What a great analogy. Not one will ever make it heaven without first going through the cross.

Do we need a steeple to be a church, I think not. But, to be true to who God has made us to be, I think it to be very beneficial. As the community is watching the steeple, tell them to look at the cross.  Then explain the cross’s life changing importance. Briefly share your testimony with them telling them how the cross of Christ can be their crossroad to salvation.

The second question we need to ask is “How do we pay for the repairs?” In 2 Kings 12:1-15 we read of a king who starts his reign at the age of 7.  That king’s name was Joash.  When he is a little older, a great revival sweeps through the kingdom and he tells the priest to collect offering to repair damage to the temple. They bore a hole in a chest and the people brought their offerings which were used to make the repairs.  Like the Old Testament example we will have a “Chest of Joash.” Here you will have and opportunity to bring a special offering each Sunday. All of the monies will be used to repair the roof and steeple. I beseech you to pray about what God would have you give toward the “Chest of Joash.” Then do as He instructs. May our Lord be pleased with us as we point people to the cross, so that they may see that Jesus bore their sin and ours—taking away our sin and replacing it with His righteousness.